10 Easy and Inexpensive SNAIL MAIL Ideas to Try... spread kindness one letter at a time

Recently, there has been a renewed interest in "snail mail", and I'm totally here for it! I love the idea of sending and receiving “physical mail”, don't you? It’s a wonderful way to slow down, connect, and make someone’s day in a “low tech” way.

So...I decided to start a 10 day #SnailMailChallenge. I hope you'll try some (or all) of my ideas. Let’s slow down, unplug, and spread kindness… one letter at a time.

Make sure to check out my short videos to get a closer look at the mail that I sent.

Day 1 - My first idea for making a meaningful connection is to send a heartfelt note. You can mail a letter to a grandparent or a child away at camp or university, write a thank you note to a teacher or coach, or send a short “just because” note to brighten someone’s day.

With a few minutes and the cost of a stamp, you can make a meaningful connection.

Day 2 - Today, I challenge you to send something handmade.

A child can send a drawing to a grandparent, or an adult can make something small enough to slip into a card. Magnets, keychains, bookmarks, friendship bracelet and ornaments are fantastic options. I love this little magnet made from a vacation photo and a little wooden ring from the dollar store

Add a note that says “This was handmade with love… I hope it makes you smile.”, put it all in an envelope, and pop it in the mail.

Day 3 - Today, I challenge you to send a recipe. You can print one from the internet that you think a family member or friend might like OR you can handwrite one of your favourites. 

If you are stuck for an idea, my chocolate chip cookies never disappoint. You can find the recipe here.

Day 4 - Today, I challenge you to send a joke, riddle or funny card. We spend so much time sending random memes to friends and family… why not take a few extra minutes to send something funny by mail instead? It’s guaranteed to make the recipient smile.

Day 5 - Today, I challenge you to send a real physical card.

Instead of sending a birthday, anniversary or thank you text, send a real physical card in the mail. Postcards are fun options too. The extra effort says, “I’m thinking about you… and you are worth spending time on.”

Day 6 - Today, I challenge you to send stickers.

You can make your own stickers, find a fun sheet at the dollar store, or buy one that reminds you of someone special.

Then, just add a note, stick it an envelope, and pop it in the mail.

P.S. (It’s fun to decorate the envelope with stickers too.)

Day 7 - Today I challenge you to send someone a trinket.

You can use something you already have, or you can buy something inexpensive. It’s a great way to tell someone that you love them or to send encouragement to a friend going through a tough time. I sell severalt inexpensive items in my “Cute as a Button Designs” shop… including all the stuff seen in the video below.

Pop a trinket into an envelope with a handwritten note and stick it in the mail. Easy peasy!

Day 8 - Today, I challenge you to send a treat.

You can mail a favourite package of candy, chocolate bar, tea bag, hot chocolate packet, or gift card.

And for an extra bit of whimsy and fun, add some confetti made with a paper punch. How great is it to find a treat in a mailbox instead of a bill?

Day 9 - Today, I challenge you to send a photo.

Digital photos are great, but there is something special about physical photo that you can frame or stick to the front of the fridge. Print one at a local store or pull one from an old album. What’s more fun than sharing than a special memory?

Day 10 - Today, I challenge you to send a “Top 10 Things I Love About You” list. 

You can hand write it or you use PicMonkey.com to design one (like I did). Put it in an envelope, stick a stamp on it, and pop it in the mail. It’s a lovely way to let someone know how much they mean to you.

I hope you enjoyed all ten ideas in my “snail mail” challenge, and that they helped you slow down, unplug, and spread kindness… one letter at a time.

Thanks for watching, subscribing and supporting me! 

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

All the resources (and FREEBIES) I used in my St.Patrick's Day CTV segment

Did you see my St. Patrick's Day CTV segment this morning? If you did (or if you missed it but are interested in all the fun freebies I shared), keeping reading! ☘

I love decorating a St. Patrick’s Day tree with DIY ornaments. This year, I made the following:

• Jenga block leprechaun hat ornaments (instructions here)
• Yarn leprechaun ornaments (instructions here)
• Pom pom leprechaun ornaments (instructions here)
• Yarn wrapped shamrocks
• Lucky charms (instructions here)
• Cardstock shamrocks

I also like to have some fun with St. Patrick's Day food. Check out the instructions and FREE downloadable tags below:

• "Have a Lucky Day" chocolate coin cards (FREE card below)
• Rainbow seed breakfast (FREE tags below)
• Leprechaun bait (FREE tags below)
• Green drink with a Frootloop straw
• Frootloop necklace (instructions here)
• Skittles rainbow (FREE tags below and instructions here)

***To print the FREE downloadable I designed: find the tag you want (below), click on the picture, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

If you missed the segment, you can watch it here.

If you have any questions, let me know. I hope you have fun with these ideas.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Set up your own ROCK LIBRARY / A fun idea for spreading KINDNESS

I recently posted about a fun idea for spreading kindness (which you can read about here). I had so much fun with it, that I decided to try something else. I set up a ROCK LIBRARY and placed it on a trail near my house.

Want to see how I did it? Check out the short video I made below.

Pretty cool, right? If you set up one of your own, let me know. I'd LOVE to see it! You could also use my hashtag... #EastCoastMommyKindnessProject

Thanks for sharing!

💗

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS (You might also be interested in the fun idea here.)

Preschool Workbook / A fun way to learn numbers 1-10 / Number Crafts

When my three kids were little, I always tried to make learning fun... and crafting was one of our favourite activities. Today, I'm sharing the NEW book I wrote which highlights the crafts we did when I was teaching them about numbers. It's like a 40+ page workbook with lots of photos and templates -- AND it's only $1.99 US. If you are interested in purchasing a copy, you can do it here.

Here are some examples of the ideas and crafts that are included in my book. You are going to love all the craft templates included!

This workbook is perfect for parents, grandparents, caregivers, and preschool teachers. If you are looking for an easy and fun way to teach little ones, grab your copy of my new book here.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS (You might also be interested in the adorable PUPPET CRAFTS here.

Make a Rainbow for St.Patrick's

I love an easy, inexpensive and fun holiday celebration idea... and this simple activity is PERFECT for St.Patrick's Day! Check out the instructions and 1-minute video below. You are going to LOVE this DIY Skittles Rainbow!

All you need is: a plate, a bag of Skittles and warm water.

Then: line a plate with Skittles, pour water into the middle of the plate, and watch the magic happen.

Seriously... how cute is this?!?

You can also grab a toothpick and play a bit with your rainbow.

Check out this video to see a demonstration of this cool experiment:

Have you ever made a Skittle's rainbow? If you haven't, grab a bag of candy and give it a try.

Happy St.Patrick's Day!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find MORE St.Patrick's idea here.

The BEST Ideas for Celebrating NEW YEAR'S EVE at Home

When you have kids (and even when you don't)... sometimes dressing up and heading out to a fancy New Year's Eve party isn't always desirable. So, hosting a family-friendly celebration can be the perfect way to ring in the new year. Today I'm sharing the BEST ideas for celebrating New Year's Eve at home.

Activity Bags - I love making activity bags that can be opened each hour leading up to midnight. The bags can contain noisemakers, the supplies for a midnight toast, games, and more.

I love having one bag contain the items needed to set up a photo booth.

And including a year in review questionnaire is fun too. 

To download a FREE copy of the one I designed: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8x10 photo.

Special New Year's Eve Treat - To make this festive treat, simply add candys to the bottom of a wine glass and top with a decorated cupcake. Cute, right?!?

Adorable New Year's Eve Mocktail - To make this adorable beverage, add sparkling water or 7up to a champagne flute, add a bit of cotton candy to the top, and insert a straw. Easy... but so much fun!

New Year's Eve Party Favours - Every party needs a party favour, and I have three simple options to share.

Breakfast for tomorrow - Add a tag to a small box of cereal or a pop tart.

Midnight Kisses - Add a tag a little bag of Hershey kisses.

Rings to ring in the new year - Add a tag to candy rings.

For a closer look (and full instructions), check out the YouTube video I made.

Will you be celebrating at home this year? I hope you find some of these ideas fun and helpful. Happy New Year!!!!

💗 

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

TOP 10 Winter Activities for the WHOLE Family to Enjoy

When the snow starts to fall and the temperatures start to drop, I tend to look ahead to spring and start counting down to summer. However, although I love the lazy days of summer, I remind myself that there is lots of winter fun to be had. Today, I'm sharing 10 winter activities for the whole family to enjoy.

1) Get Crafty - Some days require a fun indoor activity, and crafts are always fun. Younger kids can make paper snowflake garlands and spare sock snowmen. Older kids and adults can make a fun wreath for the front door. Or perhaps everyone could try a family paint night. Crafting is a fun way to get creative and relieve stress... and it's a lot of fun.

2) Get outside and play - Bundle up and get outside and enjoy all the traditional winter activities. Build a snowman, go skating, play hockey, hit the slopes, build a fort, or grab some sleds. Playing in the snow (during the day... and at night) is fun for all ages.

3) Set up a hot chocolate bar - There is nothing better in cold weather than a warm drink. Set up a dollar store hot chocolate stand, a simple hot chocolate bar, or serve the treat outside with a portable hot chocolate basket. There are so many ways to enjoy this delicious treat.

4) Have a new product tasting party - This is a simple way to spend an afternoon at home. Choose some fun new products at the grocery store and have a tasting party. Check out the "how to" here, or check out this quick little video.

5) Make snow ice cream - This is one of my family's favourite winter activities, and if you have never made snow ice cream, you need to put it on your "to do" list. It's easy, delicious, and fun. Find the full instructions here.

6) Build a fort in the living room or have an indoor picnic - Sometimes the only thing you need on a cold winter day is a blanket and a little imagination.

7) Have a movie night - Nothing says "cozy" more than cuddling up to watch a movie. Consider setting up a little concession stand to add to the fun. You could also choose a movie with a winter theme, like "Cool Runnings", "Jack Frost" or "Frozen".

8) Have an indoor snowball fight - If it's too cold and wet to be outside, try an indoor snowball fight. Make pom poms to throw, or try the fun cottonball throwers here.

9) Bake something - Baking with kids is both educational and fun... and there is nothing like the smell of freshly baked cookies on a cold winter day. You can find the recipe for our favourite chocolate chip cookies here.

10) Have a campfire - Fires aren't just for summer, so get outside and gather around the fire pit. I love the idea of cooking hot dogs over the fire for supper... and don't forget to make s'mores for dessert!

What's your family's favourite winter activity? I absolutely love all these ideas, don't you? 

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

If you are looking for more Valentine's Day inspiration, check out more than 30 Valentine's Day ideas here.